With a view to promote the rare martial art Gatka, the Punjab Government has accorded recognition to this traditional martial art as game and enlisted the Gatka game in the gradation list of recognized sports enlisted in the state sports policy, 2010.In this regard a notification has also been issued to include Gatka game in addition to other games in para 7.3 of the sports policy with immediate effect. On the proposal mooted by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds sports portfolio, the State cabinet had already gave its approval on December 16 to recognize this ancient game by enlisting it in the state gradation list.
Meanwhile Member Parliament and President World Gatka Federation Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, President Asian Gatka Federation SP Singh Oberoi, President Gatka Federation of India Harcharn Singh Bhullar and General Secretary Harjeet Singh Grewal in a statement issued here on Sunday welcomed the decision of state government and thanked the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal for their efforts to acknowledge this historical game as a sport.
The Gatka promoters said it was a long pending demand of the Gatka players to enlist this age old sport in the gradation list of recognized games so that the Gatkebaaz could avail all facilities being provided to other games and players and reservation of 3% quota in all posts and admissions. They said that the dreams of Gatka players have been truly realized due to the efforts of CM and Deputy CM who have promised to revive and promote this dying art having a historical significance.Mr Dhindsa said the Gatka Federations were managing, standardizing, promoting and reviving Gatka as a game in India that was in vogue for self-defence and have taken major initiatives to recognize this martial art as a sport.It is mentioned here that martial art Gatka has already been included in the National School Games and Punjabi University Patiala is hosting All India Inter-Varsity Gatka tournaments since 2011. The Punjab Olympic Association has already recognized Gatka game and affiliated Punjab Gatka Association.